Design Manager
Application Deadline: 26 April 2026
Department: Delivery
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Milton Keynes
Reporting To: Design Director
Description
A little bit about us:
East West Rail is a nationally significant railway project which aims to deliver much‑needed transport connections for the vibrant communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, which blend beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural heritage with globally renowned centres of education, business, technology and an increasingly dynamic business scene. Together these communities contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year.
However, the lack of good East‑West transport connections makes it harder for residents to make the most of everything the region has to offer. From faster commutes to days out with friends and family, EWR will make it easier to reach the things that matter most, bringing a range of benefits to communities between Oxford and Cambridge, and across the UK more broadly.
EWR is also one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, which the government committed to delivering in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget, and again in the 2025 Spending Review as part of its ambition to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.
EWR is being championed by the Government as a key driver to economic growth leading to a potential £78 billion boost to the UK economy: supporting new towns, housing, and regeneration.
East West Railway Company (that’s us) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way.
Role Summary
This role will be responsible for managing the design for a designated section of the railway, leading the design team to produce an integrated design which meets requirements. It also provides quality assurance of design work delivered by the supply chain and manages outputs of the design supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
Design Manager Responsibilities:
Be responsible for providing a design service to the project, through managing and facilitating Technical Partner delivery.
Day to Day Responsibilities:
* Administer the design process.
* Facilitate all project processes in the production of the design – assurance, change management, RFIs, BIM/Digital, CDM etc.
* Identify and fill any process gaps where needed.
* Ensure milestones are being met.
* Manage the completion of milestone tasks such as DRN comments and responses, IDC certificates and signatures, ECC production.
* Ensure that all processes meet safety, legal, and other standards.
* Maintain records in accordance with quality assurance procedures.
Design inputs:
* Obtain design input information as required from within EWR or from external parties.
* Administer the RFI/TQ process within contractual timescales.
Performance management
* Work with the project stakeholders to understand design needs.
* Measure design programme performance against agreed targets.
* Measure cost performance against the agreed budget.
Risk management
* Identify design, programme and delivery risks.
* Develop mitigation strategies for the risks and monitor their implementation.
* Identify blockers and manage their removal. Create a plan, find the right people, and manage to a conclusion.
* Work with the Principal Designer team to ensure that CDM risks are captured, communicated and resolved in line with agreed process and timescales.
General
* Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles.
* Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping taxpayers’ money at the forefront of decisions.
* Shows a commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential:
* Experience of working as design manager within a complex, safety focused and regulated organisation with multiple complex interfaces, and delivering to time, budget and quality.
* Experience leading and/or participating in continuous improvement / innovation deployment in an engineering / construction environment.
* Strong communication and influencing skills to negotiate and balance the different needs of stakeholders in relation to the programme.
* A deep understanding of design management, risk and control.
Desirable:
* A good understanding of continuous improvement methodologies and ideas.
* Knowledge of all procurement activities on a construction project.
* Experience of project and programme management practices e.g. PRINCE2 or APM.
* Experience of a construction environment and an understanding of its operational complexities.
Benefits
* Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.
* Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future.
* 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days.
* 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community.
* Enhanced family‑friendly policies to support you and your loved ones.
* Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind.
* Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it.
* Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits.
* Recognition programme, including on‑the‑spot and annual awards.
* Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.
Diversity and Inclusion
At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple – to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and experiences.
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